Writing Task 2

WRITING TASK 2
Instructed by Han Ngo
IN THIS UNIT YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

• generate ideas about a topic and express your opinion clearly;
• organize your essay in a logical order;
DICUSSION
Using some of the expressions in the box, discuss the questions 1-7 with a
partner.
For me, ... I think/believe ... In my experience, ... In my opinion, ...

In my view, ... Personally, I think ... To my mind, ...
1. Are maths and science more important than the arts?

2. Should students be punished for arriving late at school?
3. Should all schoolchildren be required to wear a uniform?
4. Is homework necessary?
5. Should mobile phones be allowed in the classroom?
6. Is going to university the best way to get a good job?
7. Many students choose to take a 'gap year' to travel or work before
going to university. Is this a waste of time?
SPOKEN & WRITTEN LANGUAGE
Which of the expressions in the box are suitable only for spoken, not written
English?
For me, ... I think/believe ... In my experience, ... In my opinion, ...

In my view, ... Personally, I think ... To my mind, ...
ORGANIZING YOUR WRITING
In order to express your opinion clearly, you need to have a structure which is
easy for the reader to follow. Put statements 1-9 into one of these categories.
Introduction __________
Main body __________
Conclusion __________
1. Restate your opinion C
2. Examples of your experience - if relevant MB
3. Supporting ideas MB
4. Each paragraph should express one main idea MB
5. The function of the essay, e.g. This essay will discuss ... I
6. Rewrite the question using your own words I
7. Introduce the topic I
8. A summary of your main ideas C
9. Give your opinion I

Using the information from exercise 3, read this task and put the paragraphs in
the sample answer in the correct order.
Nowadays, some parents feel that schoolchildren are given too much homework.
In your opinion, should homework time be reduced or banned altogether?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
SAMPLE ANSWER
A ❑ Homework also teaches children the discipline needed to complete work to a deadline - a very important life
skill. It also helps parents to become involved in their child's learning. By helping with homework, parents can
understand what is being learnt at school and encourage their child to become interested in the topic. 2
B ❑ To conclude, therefore, homework does have a value at schooland should not be banned altogether. It is also
very important, however, that homework does not dominate a child's time at home. There must also be adequate
Conclusion
time for family, friends and sport.
C ❑ It is also important to note, however, chat homework time should be limited and too much homework could have
a negative impact on a child's ability to learn. Too much homework could be very stressful for a child and ruin their
enjoyment of being at school. Homework should be limited to one hour every evening, so children have the time to
become involved in other important activities, such as sport or music lessons. 3
D ❑ Homework is a common feature of school life. Giving students some homework is a useful exercise. Too much
homework, however, can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress for pupils. In the following essay, I will discuss
Topic sentence
the reasons for this view.
E ❑ Homework is a beneficial tool in the school week for several reasons. Most importantly, it teaches pupils to work
independently and to practise the skills or knowledge acquired during lesson time. They are able to work on projects
or extended pieces of work, which they have to research either in the library or using the internet. 1
BETTER SAMPLE ANSWER
(Introduction) (Backround sentence) Homework is a common feature of school life. (Opinion) Giving students some homework is
a useful exercise. Too much homework, however, can cause a great dealof unnecessary stress for pupils. (Brief plan sentence) In
the following essay, I will discuss the reasons for this view.
(Body Paragraph 01) (Topic sentence) Homework is a beneficial tool in the school week for several reasons. (Main point 1) Most
importantly, it teaches pupils to work independently and to practise the skills or knowledge acquired during lesson time. (Supporting
sentence) They are able to work on projects or extended pieces of work, which they have to research either in the library or using
the internet. (Main point 2) Homework also teaches children the discipline needed to complete work to a deadline - a very important
life skill. (Supporting sentence) Without this crucial skill, students would find it difficult to survive in the workplace when they grow
up. (Main point 3) It also helps parents to become involved in their child's learning. (Supporting sentence) By helping with
homework, parents can understand what is being learnt at school and encourage their child to become interested in the topic.
(Body Paragraph 02) (Topic sentence) It is also important to note, however, that homework time should be limited and too much
homework could have a negative impact on a child's ability to learn. (Main point) Too much homework could be very stressful for a
child and ruin their enjoyment of being at school. (Supporting sentence) Homework should be limited to one hour every evening, so
children have the time to become involved in other important activities, such as sport or music lessons.
(Conclusion) To conclude, therefore, (Restate opinion) homework does have a value at school and should not be banned
altogether. (A summary of main ideas) It is also very important, however, that homework does not dominate a child's time at home.
There must also be adequate time for family, friends and sport.
EXAM SKILLS
Many students choose to take a gap year before starting university, to travel or gain work
experience. Do you think this is a good idea or a waste of time?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Underline the topic words and the task words in the question.
Underline the topic words and the task words in the question.
In pairs. Write down some ideas why taking a gap year is a good idea by following
these questions:
1. What are the benefits of taking a gap year to travel?
2. What are the benefits of taking a gap year to work?
In pairs. Write down some ideas why taking a gap year is a good idea by following
these questions:
1. What are the benefits of taking a gap year to travel?
2. What are the benefits of taking a gap year to work?
In pairs. Write down some ideas why taking a gap year may be a waste of time.
In pairs. Write down some ideas why taking a gap year may be a waste of time.
INTRODUCTION
Write an introduction. Include these points in your introduction:

• Background sentence(s) – by paraphrasing the question;
• Opinion – say whether you think taking a gap year is a good idea or a waste of
time;
• A brief plan sentence – E.g. In this essay, I will …
INTRODUCTION
Write an introduction. Include these points in your introduction:

• Background sentence(s) – by paraphrasing the question;
• Opinion – say whether you think taking a gap year is a good idea or a waste of time;
• A brief plan sentence – E.g. In this essay, I will …
BODY PARAGRAPHS
• For each body paragraph, you should write a topic sentence (the first sentence)
which generalizes the main idea of the entire paragraph.
• You should have 2-3 main points for each body paragraph, and for each main
point there should be 1-2 supporting sentences. Supporting sentences can be
explanations or examples.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Spend about 20 minutes write the two body paragraphs

CONCLUSION
Your conclusion should be straightforward. You should write 2-3 sentences for the
concluding paragraph which includes your position and a summary of the main ideas.
DO NOT include a new idea in the conclusion.
You can start your conclusion with one of these phrases:

• In conclusion, …
• In summary, …
• To conclude, …
• My view is that …

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WRITING TASK 2

Instructed by Han Ngo

IN THIS UNIT YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

For me, ... I think/believe ... In my experience, ... In my opinion, ...

1. Are maths and science more important than the arts?

For me, ... I think/believe ... In my experience, ... In my opinion, ...

2. Examples of your experience - if relevant MB

4. Each paragraph should express one main idea MB

6. Rewrite the question using your own words I

7. Introduce the topic I

8. A summary of your main ideas C

9. Give your opinion I

Write an introduction. Include these points in your introduction:

Write an introduction. Include these points in your introduction:

Spend about 20 minutes write the two body paragraphs

You can start your conclusion with one of these phrases:

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